Phillips v. Lewis, 1877, unlocks privilege, explains where ‘traffic tickets‘ come from, how to defeat them

State, county lawyers don't know about this case, not available on Westlaw; why is it a secret?

The key case to understanding the Tennessee police state begins with the 1877 case Phillips v. Lewis, that explains privilege. Traffic stops, which are administrative interactions between state government and holders of driver licenses, this relationship co-opted by local governments that criminalize the proceedings, creating much heartbreak and grief among the citizenry, especially the poor.

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn., Friday, March 7, 2025 — I am sure we will be able to bring the law to bear, for the blessing, benefit and protection of all of us.

Such is my hope in my lawsuit against Brandon Bennett, hapless Hamilton County deputy I am suing in personal capacity for arresting me maliciously and in bad faith in violation of the warrantless arrest law and also outside the scope of the motor vehicle law, which he has no legal authority to administer.

Departments of safety and revenue administer motor vehicles and traffic, according to my complaint. Traffic = commerce = privileged activity.

Phillips v. Lewis holds the key to understanding the basis of the driving privilege. Driving is using an automobile or car in privilege, aka “operating a motor vehicle” or “driving a motor vehicle.” It’s commercial. ‘

Phillips v. Lewis, don’t leave home without it

Commerce has to be alleged and proven in any “driving” criminal case as an essential element. Apart from ad valorem, the state in its collection of taxes operates through privilege. If an activity not affecting the public interest, and not public, and not for private profit and gain, the state “cannot reach” any members of the public and our lives privy except through privilege, for which a person must make application and pay a fee for a right that excludes other people of the general public.

A searchable version of Phillips v. Lewis is at the nearby link, starting at about p. 235. If you are a homeschool mom, your children’s education is incomplete if you don’t explore this key factor in how government works.

Reading the case will fill in gaps in yer history learnin’ from school, and help you be on your way to liberating yourself from the fear and ignorance that keep people unwilling to resist.

I am using Phillips v. Lewis in my lawsuit to overturn warrantless arrests in Hamilton County, particularly against people who are traveling by right, and not under privilege, which includes everybody who is on the road under any revocation or suspension, whether of tag of driver license.

One of several spreads of a key Tennessee case that explains the origins of “traffic tickets” and other harms, and also how we citizens can restore order among violent and pernicious cops and deputies. We appeal to the nature of privilege — highlighting its limits.

David runs a personal nonprofit fighting and mercy ministry. He thanks you for checks sent directly to c/o 10520 Brickhill Lane, Soddy-Daisy, TN 37379. Also at GiveSendGo.

Princely warfare against principalities & powers